Editor's note:I have often written that seniors have become the "disposable generation," referencing the way we are generally treated by government agencies and such. However most of the seniors close to me, lucky to still have one, or both of their parents alive, have a special relationship with them. Dan makes sure to call his mother, who lives in Florida every Sunday and never fails to visit her on her birthday and mother's day.

My own mother lived with me for the last three years of her life and it would never have occurred to me to have it any other way. For this reason, when I received the following story, my heart broke for these people and I knew we had to publish it.

As Mr. Eaton said, if it makes one "child" look at the way they treat their aging parent, it will be worth publishing.

By: George Eaton

I barely knew my apartment neighbors in the small quad living apartment. But one of the newcomers asked me if I wanted to join them for a buffet at a smaller casino on Tuesday.

I didn’t get out much and had few friends here in Las Vegas, but a diversion would be good I thought. So on the day of the special discount buffet, I showered and put on my best clothes, including an old light brown suit jacket and drove to the casino. I was actually dreading this meal in a way. You would think that doing something pleasant would make you feel good, but it doesn’t. It only reminds you of what you don’t have and that you are alone for all the holidays. I would be dining with people I barely knew, standing in line with dozens of strangers, and then try to make conversation during and after dinner. But I went anyway, for lack of anything else to do I suppose. I like people and I wasn't being swamped with invitations to anything.